RSVP Community Theatre will present Ted Swindley’s "Always … Patsy Cline" over the next two weekends.

This is a two-woman show full of music and memories of that more than memorable performer. And, as it turns out, it is just about almost an all-woman show.

Joe Thatcher was the director. Having recently wed and more recently retired, he has hightailed it to Michigan to begin married life. Micki Bare as the assistant director/stage manager seamlessly kept the business of the production moving forward. When Joe left, Micki, a syndicated weekly columnist with The Courier-Tribune, moved up to fill his shoes. Assistant Stage Manager Parris Brown also moved up in responsibility to take over some of Bare’s former tasks. Parris is a student at Asheboro High School.

Michele Dawes, technical services manager for the City of Asheboro, and Meredith Smith, a teacher’s assistant at Balfour Elementary, are also part of the crew.

They are the dressers. Each will have domain over one side of the stage to assist Alisa Smith McNeil, who plays Patsy Cline, change costumes. There are at least 12 changes.

Sierra Lanier will be up in the nose-bleed seats to work the follow spot. Sierra is Parris’ sister and both girls are daughters of Laura Gwyn Clapp.

Laura Gwyn and Alisa are the entire cast of the show.

Laura Gwyn does virtually all the talking. Alisa does virtually all the singing.

"Always … Patsy Cline" is a comprehensive museum of Cline’s songs. Twenty-seven songs, whole or in medley, are performed. They are the jewels set in the narrative delivered by Laura Gwyn. Alisa portrays Patsy; Laura Gwyn portrays Louise Seger, a down-to-earth woman who met Cline early in her career and kept in touch, mostly by letters, until the airplane crash that killed Patsy, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas en route to a performance in 1963.

The two actresses do interact, but mostly the play takes place in Louise’s memories, which are full of Patsy’s personality, her family life and events in her career from obscure honkytonks to chart-crossing international success.

Alisa says she feels a close kinship to Cline. To sing the songs and to embody the emotional meaning of them is an honor and thrill for her.

"RSVP did ‘Always … Patsy Cline’ five years ago," she said, "and I’d do it every five years if they would let me. Maybe even more often."

She frequently uses Cline material in her public performances.

Laura Gwyn says she did not follow a routine in preparing for the role of Seger. To build her character she followed the script and employed the force of simple observation, watching people and assuming traits that, added together, create a compelling personality.

"Louise is lovable and laughable but with some bite," she commented. "We are having a great time with our roles and developing our characters."

Laura Gwyn has a degree in theatre from High Point University. She is busy as a wife and mother and also works at Lindley Park School. Laura Gwyn is also a student in the RCC Interior Design Program. She loves having her daughters involved in the production.

What does the future hold?

Perhaps more film work. She starred in the locally produced "Marigold Blooms" a couple of years ago. But she’d also like to perform in RSVP’s upcoming production of "Steel Magnolias." (February/March of 2015.)

Laura Gwyn and Alisa in reprising their roles from five years ago say that coming back to the play is like putting on a familiar glove. Alisa feels more comfortable this time around.

"I am more invested in who Patsy really was, not just the country music star she was perceived to be," she added.

Alisa has been married for almost five years now. She and her husband Shaun don’t have children of their own yet, but her day job as a nanny provides her with on-the-job experience. She takes daily care of beautiful twin girls, Piper and Sierra. As to the future, Alisa will be directing RSVP’s fall show, "The Curious Savage" (November) and plans to audition for "Steel Magnolias." She also finds time for civic work, serving as secretary for the Julian Lion’s Club last year.

There is one lone man left in the crew: Paul Way. He is an RCC student and vice president of his class. Paul is just about to age out of Randolph Youth Theater Company productions and to go fully into RSVP shows. He will be up in the booth operating the stage lighting.

"Always … Patsy Cline" is in the competent, strong, loving hands of its women.

The show will be handcrafted and nurtured with attention to nuance and the pleasure of the audience. Come see, come hear, come enjoy!

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RSVP Community Theatre’s production of "Always … Patsy Cline" will be performed at the Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, on Fridays and Saturdays, May 23, 24, 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, May 25 and June 1, at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students (up to age 18) and seniors (60+).

Tickets are available in advance at Morings Fine Crafts, 123 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, or by calling (336) 629-0399. Tickets at the door are cash or check only.

Learn more about RSVP at www.rsvptheatre.org or on Facebook at RSVP Theatre.